The trademark GEOX is a trademark of the Italian company GEOX S.p.A producing footwear which was founded by Mario Motetti Polgeto in the 90s. "The brand name, Geox, comes from a mixture between the Greek word ‘geo’ (hearth), on which we all walk, and ‘x’, a letter-element symbolizing technology", as described in the company’s official site.
Pars Optic Co. an Iranian company producing eyewear, glasses and sunglasses filed a trademark application for the mark GEOX covering goods in the International Class 9.
Consequently, GEOX S.p.A filed an opposition against the Iranian application claiming its ownership in classes 3, 9, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28 and 35 and international use of the it. It further argued that the similarity would cause confusion among consumers.
Despite the fact that the GEOX’s registration process in Iran is still pending and has not still been registered in the name of GEOX S.p.A., the court argued that the mark belongs to the company and has prior use. Moreover, it is a part of the company’s name. However, Pars Optic Co. has infringed the mark and the registration of the Iranian trademark application would cause confusion among consumers and even in the exporting of the goods.
The final verdict of the court was in favor of GEO S.p.A and for the cancellation of the Iranian trademark applications.
This decision was published in the Iranian Official Gazette on August 9, 2006.
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